RSS FeedsThe Strike Zone: The latest news, blogs & photos on the WGA strike
Board members embrace moments before a press conference announcing the potential end to the WGA strike. More photos|
• BLOG: Strike updates
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• QUESTION: Was the strike worth it?
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• TV:
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• Download: PDF of deal summary
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• Issues: What's it all about?
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• Graphic: Fees and residuals
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STRIKE REPORT
After 100 days, WGA members vote overwhelmingly to go back to work.
Living-room meetings cut through animosity in writers walkout.
STRIKE REPORT
News Corp.'s Chernin and Disney's Iger are integral in crafting a labor deal with writers.
As guild members vote, show runners get OK to resume work.
The guild and studios are near a deal. Work could resume Monday.
STRIKE REPORT
An affirmative vote could send writers back to work in a matter of days.
Can an industry upended regain its sense?
Hopes for an award show brighten as the striking writers and producers set up renewed discussions.
STRIKE REPORT
Hollywood's striking writers, signaling a possible thaw in the 3-month-old labor dispute, have agreed to drop two demands that studios have long viewed as non-starters.
SCRIPTLAND
You can't throw a skim latte in L.A. without hitting a writer who has a screenplay that's been stuck in the system since grunge was breaking. But there are very few who can say that in the intervening years they've turned the same story into a well-reviewed novel, a German radio play and a potential Broadway musical.
THE BIG PICTURE
To: Writers Guild of America, West President Patric Verrone
CHANNEL ISLAND
Although ratings haven't fallen much yet, the networks are grappling with weak programming.
Sure, as a member of the Writers Guild, I feel awful about all the camera operators, editors and grips out of work because of our strike. But when it shut down the Golden Globes, I wondered if we hadn't brought too much hurt to America. Weighed down with guilt, I decided to do what I could to brighten up the pathetic substitute news conference. I was going to don a tuxedo, roll up in a fly car with a swanky date and whip out a bottle of champagne as the winners were announced.
The Directors Guild agreement may point the way for a deal between studios and writers.
When negotiators for the Directors Guild of America sat down with their counterparts from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers last weekend to try to hammer out a new contract, there was more at stake than simply wresting the best possible deal from an employer.
The switch from the usual awards ceremony to a news conference format because of the writers strike has had repercussions across Hollywood and beyond.
THE BIZ
From Clooney to Clinton, who could negotiate WGA/AMPTP peace?
The lead negotiators for the Directors Guild of America are scheduled to meet today and discuss opening formal negotiations with the studios for a new contract.
Stopping the cash flow will strengthen the writers' case, not cutting deals.
Tom Cruise's independent film company could sign a contract today and get back to work. Other companies may follow.
AWARDS
With celebrities under orders to honor writers' picket lines, a scaled-down 'news' show is to be substituted.
Last year was flush with money for Hollywood, but people are less willing to pay a lot for movies.
STRIKE REPORT
The union says he is not allowed to write for his show but the comedian's action poses a quandary.
STRIKE REPORT
Cates will negotiate the next DGA deal. It may set tone for other pacts.
With no talks scheduled with Hollywood's major studios, the Writers Guild of America has begun negotiating with several small independent television and movie production companies on new employment agreements, John Bowman, the union's chief negotiator, told reporters Wednesday after a news conference. Some deals may be announced as early as next week, he predicted.
Because they are members of the Writers Guild of America, the move is seen as a blow to the union. Both say that by resuming their shows, they won't have to fire non-writing staff members.
CHANNEL ISLAND
When push comes to shove, residuals are going to matter more than reality writers in the union.
Dozens are turning to venture capitalists, seeking to bypass Hollywood and reach viewers directly online.
The scene is set for a long dispute. Time to work on the dialogue.
INDUSTRY
At the staged-readings show 'Afterbirth,' the burning issue of the season finds its way into the usual family tales.
STRIKE REPORT
The producers alliance broke federal law by cutting off negotiations last week, the complaint says.
CHANNEL ISLAND
The writers' strike has claimed another victim: the TV
press tour slated to begin early next month.
Leaders are admonished to refocus on the key issue: Web revenue. Talks with directors could play a role.
THE BIG PICTURE
While attention is focused on the writers strike, a bigger confrontation with the actors guild looms down the road.
The music industry suffered big losses before it warmed to the Web. How long will it take Hollywood?
CHANNEL ISLAND
Though "American Idol" and a few scripted debuts are on the horizon, the strike threatens midseason programming.
The five-week-old strike continues after negotiations stall with the two sides still far apart.
With their shows hit first by the strike, the funnymen have worked to make sure nonwriting workers are paid.
STRIKE REPORT
With public support for striking writers widespread, the producers alliance calls on political veterans to revise its image.
The haves are helping the have-nots lessen the toll of the WGA strike. The aid could preserve guild solidarity.
SCRIPTLAND
On the positive side, the strike is forcing them to meet people, share career tips and get some exercise.
CHANNEL ISLAND
NBC has pulled out. Other networks on the fence pending the dispute's outcome.
Movies are still being made during the writers strike, but actors and directors are walking a fine line when improvising.
CHANNEL ISLAND
TV's writer-producers are shaping up to be the most influential players in the industry.
STRIKE REPORT
A continuing dispute would have an acute effect on the region's economy, according to a film group's conservative estimates.
As talks resume, it's crucial that writers and producers embrace innovation.
HOME ENTERTAINMENT
The union says it won't be shortchanged on new media as it was with DVDs. But no one's sure of future dollars.
Christians attending the annual National Media Prayer Breakfast appeal to the almighty for a fast and fair settlement.
Hollywood's film and TV writers and major studios have agreed to go back to the negotiating table on Nov. 26 in hopes of ending a bruising strike that began two weeks ago, according to two people familiar with the matter.
ENTERTAINMENT
The money, ambition and Hollywood pedigrees behind the Web-only dramatic video series "Quarterlife" brought the effort accolades even before its debut this month.
STRIKE REPORT
The guild doesn't want to undermine striking writers by starting negotiations with studios.
For dry cleaners, caterers and other merchants dependent on Hollywood, when the shooting stops, so does the cash flow.
Almost 2 of 3 Americans back guild members in their dispute with studios, a survey to be released today indicates.
STRIKE REPORT
Pickets say studios tell investors of growing Internet revenue while telling the union there's not enough to share.
STRIKE REPORT
Writers' largest march to date is aimed at keeping resolve strong.
STRIKE REPORT
Five top talent agencies, pushed by their worried clients, try to persuade Hollywood writers and studios to resume talks.
Television's top writer-producers threw their collective weight behind the striking Writers Guild of America on Wednesday in a move that could accelerate the disappearance of some of the nation's most popular prime-time shows, including "Desperate Housewives," "Lost" and "The Office."
SOON it will be "American Idol" season, that sweet time of year when the world stops to crown a new singing sensation. The naysayers predicted that last year would be the year Americans stopped idolizing, and they were so, so wrong.
Studios move to halt production deals, which would hit rank and file.
What's an actor to do?
WRITERS STRIKE
WRITERS STRIKE
A fateful e-mail from the union's East Coast branch abruptly halts a final attempt to broker a deal.
The strikers say their walkout could be a long one. Some stars drop by to offer support.
A walkout on Thursday will put thousands of others' paychecks at risk. The timing is especially bad this year.
‘I’m stockpiling ‘The Office’ on Tivo’.
The producers dangle concessions but continue to reject key union demands on residuals.
Photo Gallery
YourScene
Writers Strike: On the SceneTaking a position, or maybe in position to shoot some of the striking activity?
Submit your own photos and video here.
Around the web
Blogs by WGA members
United Hollwood
A blog written by guild members
The Artful Writer
This blog is written by Craig Mazin, co-writer of "Scary Movie 3," and Ted Elliott, who co-wrote "Shrek" and "Pirates Of the Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl."
johnaugust.com
Writer/director John August, whose credits include "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Big Fish," and "Charlie’s Angels," blogs here.
...by Ken Levine
Writer/director/producer/baseball announcer Ken Levine refers to the strike in his blog.
Famous Mark Verheidens Of Filmland
"Battlestar Galactica" writer/co-executive producer Mark Verheiden plans to keep blogging during the strike.
news from me
A veteran of the 1988 strike, writer Mark Evanier offers his insights on the current strike.
The TV Grid
When will your TiVo fill up with new episodes? With the end of the writers strike in sight, anything's possible. A look at how your favorite shows may fare.